PROTECTA FR CPVC SEALANT: A NEW FIRESTOPPING SOLUTION FOR CPVC SPRINKLER PIPES

Polyseam is preparing to launch Protecta FR CPVC Sealant, a dedicated firestopping solution for use with compatible CPVC fire sprinkler pipework, including Lubrizol BlazeMaster® systems.

The launch follows extensive work around our established Protecta FR Acrylic formulation, including independent testing to assess its interaction with CPVC pipe material.

With Protecta FR CPVC Sealant joining the approved sealants available for use with Lubrizol BlazeMaster pipes, contractors and specifiers will have another tested solution available when firestopping around CPVC sprinkler systems.

With residential and commercial sprinkler systems increasingly forming part of modern fire strategies, contractors and specifiers need firestopping solutions that provide both proven fire performance and demonstrated compatibility with the pipework being protected.

THE CHALLENGE: FIRESTOPPING AROUND CPVC SPRINKLER PIPES

Fire sprinkler systems play a critical role in protecting lives and property. As sprinkler pipework passes through fire-rated walls and floors, those penetrations must be appropriately firestopped to help maintain the fire resistance of the compartment.

When working with CPVC sprinkler pipes, however, product selection requires an additional consideration: chemical compatibility.

Certain materials and chemical compounds can be incompatible with CPVC and, over time, may adversely affect the integrity of the pipe. This means that a firestopping product should not be selected based solely on its fire performance; consideration must also be given to its compatibility with the pipe material.

As sprinkler systems become increasingly prevalent across residential and commercial construction, contractors and specifiers need firestopping solutions supported by evidence for both fire performance and material compatibility.

WHY CPVC COMPATIBILITY MATTERS

CPVC is widely used within fire sprinkler systems, providing a lightweight and corrosion-resistant alternative to traditional metallic pipework. However, not every sealant or ancillary construction product should automatically be assumed to be suitable for direct contact with CPVC.

Lubrizol, whose CPVC technology is used in BlazeMaster® Fire Protection Systems, operates the FBC™ System Compatible Program to identify ancillary products that have been assessed for compatibility with Lubrizol CPVC piping systems.

This provides contractors, designers and specifiers with greater confidence when selecting products that may remain in contact with CPVC pipework throughout the life of an installation.

THE TESTING BEHIND THE SOLUTION

The compatibility testing supporting this development was carried out using Protecta FR Acrylic. Independent chemical testing by Intertek examined CPVC pipe material exposed to Protecta FR Acrylic and compared it with areas of pipe that had not been exposed to the sealant.

Analysis of the sub-surface material beneath the sealant-exposed area found no evidence of significant migration of components from the sealant into the bulk material of the pipe sidewall.

Additional analysis found no visible evidence of significant changes to the pipe surface, while mechanical testing demonstrated no difference between the control and exposed samples at yield. These results provide important technical evidence regarding the interaction between the tested Protecta FR Acrylic formulation and CPVC pipe material.

INTRODUCING PROTECTA FR CPVC SEALANT

Building on this testing and technical development, Polyseam is introducing Protecta FR CPVC Sealant as a dedicated solution for appropriate CPVC fire sprinkler applications.

The new product provides a clear and easily identifiable option for contractors and installers working with CPVC sprinkler systems, helping simplify product selection on site while providing the supporting technical evidence expected from the Protecta range.

Protecta FR CPVC Sealant will join the list of approved sealants for use with Lubrizol BlazeMaster® CPVC fire sprinkler pipes, giving the market another tested option when specifying appropriate firestopping solutions.

INTRODUCING PROTECTA FR CPVC SEALANT

Passive fire protection products form part of a much wider building system. While demonstrating fire resistance is fundamental, manufacturers must also consider how products interact with the other materials and services with which they come into contact.

For CPVC sprinkler penetrations, that means considering both:

• Fire performance – can the penetration seal maintain the required fire resistance?
• Material compatibility – can the firestopping product remain in contact with the CPVC pipe without adversely affecting its performance?

Protecta FR CPVC Sealant has been developed to provide contractors and specifiers with a solution that addresses these important considerations.

TESTING BEFORE CLAIMS

The development of Protecta FR CPVC Sealant reflects a wider principle behind Polyseam and the Protecta range: performance claims should be supported by evidence.

Our approach combines formulation expertise, research and development, independent testing and third-party assessment to provide customers with the technical information they need to make informed product choices.

Rather than simply developing another firestopping sealant, our objective has been to provide a clearly defined solution for a specific and growing application within modern construction.

CONTINUING TO DEVELOP TESTED SOLUTIONS

The introduction of Protecta FR CPVC Sealant is another example of how Polyseam continues to invest in research, testing and product development to respond to changing requirements within the construction and passive fire protection industries.

By working with independent laboratories, certification organisations and other manufacturers throughout the construction supply chain, we can continue developing solutions that address real challenges faced by contractors, installers and specifiers.

Protecta FR CPVC Sealant is coming soon.

If you’re currently working with BlazeMaster® or other CPVC sprinkler pipework and would like to discuss the appropriate Protecta firestopping solution for your project, please contact the Protecta Technical team for guidance.

Further technical information, supporting documentation and product details for Protecta FR CPVC Sealant will be available as part of the official product launch.

Always refer to the latest Protecta technical documentation, relevant system approvals and the pipe manufacturer’s compatibility requirements when specifying or installing a firestopping system.